Flower-associated
Guides
Acanthogethes
pollen beetles
Acanthogethes is a genus of pollen beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established by Reitter in 1871. The genus contains five described species distributed in the Palearctic region. These small beetles are associated with flowers and pollen, a characteristic trait of their family.
Collops balteatus
Red Cross Beetle
Collops balteatus, commonly known as the red cross beetle, is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. It is found in the south-central United States and Mexico. The species belongs to a family whose adults are frequently observed on flowers, where they feed on pollen and small insects.
Collops versatilis
Collops versatilis is a soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, first described by Fall in 1912. The genus Collops comprises predatory beetles commonly found on flowers, where they feed on other insects. C. versatilis has been documented from British Columbia, Canada, with 75 iNaturalist observations recorded. Like other members of the genus, it likely serves as a beneficial predator in agricultural and natural ecosystems, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Heterothrips
Heterothrips is a genus of thrips in the family Heterothripidae, containing more than 60 described species. The genus has not been adequately defined and species-level taxonomy relies heavily on morphological characters. Many species are associated with flowers of specific host plants, including economically important fruit trees and ornamental species. The genus is distributed primarily in the Neotropics, with documented diversity in Central America, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
Ischnorhynchinae
Ischnorhynchinae is a subfamily of seed bugs in the family Lygaeidae, comprising approximately 16 genera and more than 70 described species. Members are small, terrestrial insects characterized by translucent or transparent plate-like structures covering the thorax (pronota). The subfamily has been subject to taxonomic debate, with some authors treating it as a separate family (Ischnorhynchidae), though current consensus places it within Lygaeidae.
Meligethinae
Pollen Beetles
Meligethinae is a subfamily of pollen beetles within the family Nitidulidae, comprising approximately 700 described species across about 50 genera. All species are associated with flowers or inflorescences of host plants, with the vast majority feeding on dicots and approximately 7% on monocots. The subfamily is widespread in the Palearctic, Afrotropical, and Oriental Regions, but absent from the Neotropics and Antarctica. Adults serve as effective pollinators of their host plants, including palms and various flowering crops.
Phymata americana americana
jagged ambush bug
Phymata americana americana is a subspecies of jagged ambush bug in the family Reduviidae. As an ambush predator, it waits motionless on flowers to capture visiting insects. The subspecies exhibits phenetic variation in color pattern correlated with climate and season. Studies indicate it shows weak initial discrimination when choosing hunting sites from the ground, but improves patch choice by switching positions once atop vegetation. It is capable of hybridizing with the related Phymata pennsylvanica, with no evidence of prezygotic reproductive barriers.
Phymata arctostaphylae
Phymata arctostaphylae is a species of ambush bug in the family Reduviidae, native to North America. As a member of the genus Phymata, it exhibits the characteristic predatory behavior of ambush bugs, lying in wait on flowers to capture visiting insects. The species name references Arctostaphylos, suggesting an association with manzanita plants. Like other Phymata species, it possesses raptorial forelegs adapted for seizing prey and a venomous bite that subdues victims.
Phymata mystica
jagged ambush bug
Phymata mystica is a species of jagged ambush bug in the family Reduviidae. Like other members of the genus Phymata, it is an ambush predator that waits on flowers to capture pollinating insects. The species was described by Evans in 1931 and belongs to a group of insects known for their distinctive raptorial forelegs and cryptic coloration that blends with floral backgrounds.
Phymata noualhieri
Ambush bug
Phymata noualhieri is a species of ambush bug in the family Reduviidae. It belongs to a genus of predatory insects known for their ambush hunting strategy on flowers. The species has been documented in Central America and North America, where it likely shares the general ecological habits of other Phymata species, preying on flower-visiting insects.